In line with the celebration of women’s month, the DENR CALABARZON Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Section as Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point for IEC conducted a Lecture on GAD Advocacy and Principles and Magna Carta of Women last March 26, 2018 at Barangay Alitas, Infanta, Quezon. Participants of the activity are members of Alitas Farmers’ Association, Inc. who were awarded as best implementors in 2012 of DENR’s National Greening Program. Ms. Melinda G. Gordo, In-charge of RSCIS, said the activity aimed to gauge the level of awareness of the members of PO on their role as women and men in society, as well as to empower women in rural communities in CALABARZON. Gordo also emphasized the Gender and Development Vision: Partnership of Women and Men for Sustainable Development. She told the participants that the activity is not only for women but also for men. “Ginagawa po natin ito hindi lamang para sa mga kababaihan, kung hindi para sa mga kalalakihan din…dahil kung ano ang mga nararanasan ng mga kababaihan ay maaari ring maranasan ng mga kalalakihan”, she said. Further, topics discussed during the whole day lecture include GAD Advocacy and Principles, Salient Features of Republic Act 9262 (Anti-violence Against Women and Children Act of 2003), and Republic Act 9710 (Magna Carta of Women). Mr. Ronald Rozaldo, Chief of the Enforcement Unit of CENRO Real, Quezon, reiterated the role of women in molding the youth. He said “Ang mga kababaihan ay may malaking role na dapat nating i-recognize sa paghubog ng mga kabataan…dapat talaga ay magkaroon tayo ng awareness na ang mga kababaihan ay una nating i-empower para makuha natin ang gusto nating makamtan na lipunan na makatao, makaDiyos at makabayan”. DENR CALABARZON intends to conduct more IEC campaigns for rural communities. Gordo said, “gusto sana natin mas maabot pa ang mga communities na hindi masyadong napapansin at ibaba ang programa ng DENR para sa kanila”.